One of the unfortunate side effects of the modern media age is that many people spend more time in front of television sets or computers than they do with other humans. In the most extreme cases, this has led to a phenomenon known as the “parasocial relationship.” In a broad sense, the parasocial relationship involves the direct interaction between a media viewer and media characters. More precisely, the term has often been applied to describe a type of psychological problem in which the viewer believes that the media character is actually speaking with them (Horton & Wohl, 1956).
In exploring the nature of this problem as well as its roots, it becomes apparent that a variety of factors come into play in generating parasocial relationships. Above all else, this disturbing modern phenomenon is attributable to a combination of developmental and societal causes.
An excellent introduction to the problem of parasocial relationships is provided by Horton & Wohl in their seminal 1956 article Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction. In this article, the authors refer to parasocial interaction as a form of “mediated human contact” in which an individual develops a relationship with a character seen on television. In essence, the viewer experiences the illusion of face-to-face contact with a television performer. An example of this might be a news anchorman who talks directly to the audience. In the parasocial relationship, the viewer sees that the anchor man is looking right at them and starts to believe that they are actually having a conversation (Horton & Wohl, 1956).
The Term Paper on Discuss The Relationship Between Media And Information Technology
Discuss the relationship between 'Media' and 'Information Technology " The term 'Media' could today be defined as a collective term for television, radio, cinema and the press. The media are nowadays often discussed as a single entity, because of their combined importance as providers of entertainment and information, their presumed power to mould public opinion and set standards and the growth of ...
The parasocial relationship manifests itself in many different ways (Horton & Wohl, 1956).
In some cases, the viewer actually talks back to the television performer. In other cases, the situation becomes pathological and the person carries on an imagined long-term relationship with the television “person.” Resulting behaviors vary from sending flowers to fictional people, breaking into homes of stars, or even stalking and killing the star in question. Thus, it is apparent that the parasocial relationship has major significance in modern society. On one level, the parasocial relationship is a dangerous phenomenon that must be curtailed. On the other hand, the parasocial relationship tells us a great deal about certain problems with modern society. Indeed, in looking at the probable causes of parasocial relationships, we can note many areas that we must be wary of in terms of their effect on human emotion and behavior.
First of all, we must consider the role that developmental problems play in the parasocial relationship. As Dorr (1983) points out, television viewing plays a significant role in the cognitive and social development of the child. Indeed, Dorr identifies certain stages of development that healthy children go through in relation to television watching. For example, a key stage of development comes when children begin to recognize that most television programming is not real but fabricated. This generally occurs around the age of eight years. Thus, as the child develops, the boundaries between viewer and character become increasingly well defined. For the person who experiences the parasocial relationship, however, it seems that cognitive development either regresses, or has been constantly stuck, at the level of a six-year-old. Clearly, then, developmental issues play a role in the onset of the parasocial relationship.
The Essay on Watching Television People World Life
It may be hard to admit, but television has become an intricate part of our everyday lives. People often find themselves sitting in front of the television screen for a longer period of time than ever before and this is due to the fact that television has evolved immensely over the past few years. Society is so addicted to television that it has become an issue. People are not aware of the dangers ...
At the same time, it seems likely that societal issues play a role as well. In my view, developmental problems create the predisposition for parasocial relationships while societal problems push people “over the edge.” Above all else, I would speculate that the modern “media-age” has created a situation in which some people are allowed to slip through the cracks in terms of their connection with the human race. Through the isolation or lack of connection that they may feel, the troubled individual begins to create relationships based around television characters. Thus, the parasocial relationship becomes the haven of the socially disconnected, developmentally stunted individual.
A third factor that must be considered is the technology itself. As Allen (1992) has noted, designers of television shows and advertising spots are always seeking to manipulate the medium in order to make it closely resemble “the real thing.” Issues such as viewing angle, display area, and viewing distance are varied to determine what sensations of reality they create. Thus, we can see that the cycle that produces the parasocial relationship is a multi-faceted one. First of all, the individual experiences some sort of trauma or developmental problem at a very early age. Later, as the person grows up, they experience a sense of isolation in a world where machines often replace humans as sources of comfort and contact with the world. This process is only facilitated by the constant refinement of the television medium to give the highest level of reality. Ultimately, then, I would hypothesize that the phenomenon known as the parasocial relationship is the result of a complex combination of developmental, technological, and societal factors.
Further insight into the problem of parasocial relationships can be gained by applying the “Uses and Gratifications” theory of mass communication. According to this theory, people “use” the media in order to fulfil certain basic needs (Glaesner, 1990).
Among the main functions that the media provides is the element of “linkage.” Even for people who have undergone a normal process of development, television plays an important role in linking them with the rest of the world (Glaesner, 1990).
The Essay on Television and the world
Television and other aspects of the media have such a great influence on children?s thoughts and behaviors. Media also has put stereotypes on women in the media and this also has a huge effect on the thoughts and beliefs of children. Children spend an average of 16 hours a week watching television, if you add movies to the mix they spend as many as 55 hours in front of the television. Other parts ...
In situations where normally developed people may feel “down” or “lonely,” they will be likely to turn to television for solace and a sense of connection with the world. Thus, television can be “used” for the gratification of feeling connected with the world and the human race.
In the case of the parasocial relationship, this type of use of the television medium only becomes more intense. Parasocial relationships are likely to develop among people who are particularly isolated and alienated from the world (Brunsdon, 1984).
Thus, uses and gratifications theory presents a mechanism through which the development of parasocial relationships can be better understood. Basically, the type of people who develop parasocial relationships are the type who are most dependent on television for the gratification of gaining some type of connection with the human race.
In the final analysis, then, the parasocial relationship is a highly fascinating phenomenon that springs from a variety of combined elements in modern society. First of all, in terms of the individual who becomes prone to experiencing a parasocial relationship, developmental problems lay the groundwork for later problems. In particular, the person may have had difficulty moving past a basic stage of cognitive development. This developmental problem might never be discovered, however, without societal factors laying the groundwork. Specifically, the extreme sense of isolation and loneliness which people feel in our modern, machine-dominated society has become a major contributor to cases of parasocial relationships. Acting as the catalyst for the process, meanwhile, is the design of modern media material. Through the design and production of television material, producers engage in a two-step process that lays the groundwork for instances of parasocial relationship. First, television material separates and isolates the individual from the rest of society. Secondly, it creates a new world- or a new partner- that is increasingly realistic and convincing. When all these factors come together, then, the emergence of a parasocial relationship is highly likely. In the final analysis, then, the phenomenon of the parasocial relationship reflects a combination of developmental, societal, and technological elements. Hopefully, in the future, scientists will look to these areas as they seek to develop a remedy or treatment for individuals who struggle with parasocial relationships.
The Essay on Relationship Between People And Gods In Gilgamesh
There is fundamental aspect impact on course of event in Gilgamesh which is realationship between gods and people in Gilgamesh. In this perceptive, i pinpoint some severalchronologize dialog in Gilgamesh. To begin with, despite the fact that Gilgamesh protect Uruk’s boundaries snugly, Uruk’s society is upset because of the his bullying on Uruk society.This circumstances are stated in ...
References
Allen, R.C. (1992).
Channels of Discourse, Reassembled.
London: Routledge.
Brunsdon, C. (1984).
“Writing about Soap Opera.” In
L. Masterman (Ed.), Television Mythologies. London:
Comedia.
Dorr, A. (1983).
“No Shortcuts to Judging Reality.” In
J. Bryant & D.R. Andersen (Eds.), Children’s
Understanding of Television: Research on Attention and
Comprehension. New York: Academic Press.
Glaesner, V. (1990).
“Gendered Fictions.” In A. Goodwin and
G. Whannel (Eds.), Understanding Television. London:
Routledge.
Horton, W. & Wohl. (1956).
“Mass Communication and Para-
Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a
Distance.” Psychiatry, 19(3), pp. 215-229.
